Matakuliah
Tahun
Versi
: G1222, Writing IV
: 2006
: v 1.0 rev 1
Module 11
Composing Argumentative
Essay
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What’s inside
• How to write an argumentative essays
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Introduction
The function of an argumentative essay is to show that
your assertion (opinion, theory, hypothesis) about some
phenomenon or phenomena is correct or more truthful
than others'. The art of argumentation is not an easy skill
to acquire. Many people might think that if one simply
has an opinion, one can argue it successfully, and these
folks are always surprised when others don't agree with
them because their logic seems so correct.
Argumentative writing is the act of forming reasons,
making inductions, drawing conclusions, and applying
them to the case in discussion; the operation of inferring
propositions, not known or admitted as true, from facts or
principles known, admitted, or proved to be true. It
clearly explains the process of your reasoning from the
known or assumed to the unknown. Without doing this
you do not have an argument, you have only an
assertion, an essay that is just your unsubstantiated
opinion.
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Argumentative essays
Argumentative essays are often organized in the
following manner:
1. Begin with a statement of your assertion, its timeliness,
significance, and relevance in relation to some
phenomenon.
2. Review critically the literature about that phenomenon.
3. Illustrate how your assertion is "better" (simpler or more
explanatory) than others, including improved (i.e., more
reliable or valid) methods that you used to accumulate
the data (case) to be explained.
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Sentence Indicators
Argument Indicators
Premise Indicators
Conclusion
Indicators
Should
Since
Therefore
Must
Because
Hence
Ought
For
Thus
Necessarily
As
so
in as much as
Consequently
for the reason that
it follows that
First
one may infer
one may conclude
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Reaching Logical Conclusions
Consider these three statements:
1. All whales are mammals;
2. All mammals are warm-blooded animals;
3. All warm-blooded animals are subject to colds;
then we must conclude that
All whales are subject to colds.
1. Babies are illogical
2. Nobody is despised who can manage a crocodile
3. Illogical persons are despised.
From these we can draw the logical conclusion:
Babies cannot manage crocodiles.
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Features
What do you write about?
1. Pick a well-defined, controversial issue. (Readers should
understand what the issue is and what is at stake. The issue must
be arguable, as noted above. After stating your thesis, you will need
to discuss the issue in depth so that your reader will understand the
problem fully.
2. A clear position taken by the writer. In your thesis sentence, state
what your position is.
3. A convincing argument. An argumentative essay does not merely
assert an opinion; it presents an argument, and that argument must
be backed up by data that persuades readers that the opinion is
valid. This data consists of facts, statistics, the testimony of others
through personal interviews and questionnaires or through articles
and books, and examples.
4. The writer of an argumentative essay should seek to use educated
sources that are nonbiased, and to use them fairly.
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Anticipating Objections
and Making Concessions
Anticipating objections- When you anticipate
objections to your argument or proposal, you are making an
effort to see the others' viewpoints. By making an effort, you
actually state other viewpoints. You are also troubleshooting
problems that you must overcome to write a thorough proposal
or position paper.
Making concessions - When you make a
concession, you actually give in to part of the other person's
objections or views. You admit that he is half right, perhaps, or
that he has a valid concern. Then you overcome that concern
by logic and/or a solution.
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Examples
You are writing a position paper about censorship. Begin with your
introduction and thesis (position). Then write several paragraphs in
which you discuss censorship and support your viewpoint. After
discussing your viewpoint, write a single paragraph like the
following:
While censorship is dangerous to a free society, some of the
concerned citizens who are in favor of censorship may have
valid points when they object that children should not be
exposed to television violence. [concession and anticipated
an objection in one sentence.] Indeed, often there is too
much violence on television [a concession, a point of
agreement.] Perhaps the answer is for all networks to
establish the same guidelines of self-censorship [offer a
partial solution most can agree on.] If the networks were
more responsible and tried to avoid material that is in poor
taste, governmental officials, religious groups, and
concerned parents might not feel the need to be involved in
their decisions at all.
http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Argumentation.html
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Cloning and Family Values
As an individual person and human being, we are raised with
family values. We are taught about the value of marriage,
parenthood and respect. Cloning will bring the demise of
those values. With today's technology and cultural diversity in
America these values are rapidly diminishing. "Changes in the
broader culture make it now vastly more difficult to express
common and respectful understanding of sexuality,
procreation, nascent life, family, and the meaning of
motherhood, fatherhood, and the links between the
generations" (Kass and Wilson 7).
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Cloning and Family Values (Cont.)
Proponents of cloning believe parents who want to clone a
child, either to provide transplant for a dying child or to
replace that of a lost one, should have this right. Little do
they know that the sacrificial benefit to the creator is by far
cruelty and evil. This is a violation of an individual sanctity of
life. We, as humans, have the capability to reason. Why are we
not seeing the disease that we might unleash and not be able
to control? Sterile individuals may look at cloning as a
prescription to his or her suffering. What about the unborn
child, does anyone consider it? Even with a life threatening
disease, can we as humans cloning justify the moral
implications?
To harvest humans for their organs, solely for personal gain
is inhumane. Should we believe that it is right to bear a child
purely for its organs? What will the effect be on that cloned
child? The devastation of his or her psychological state would
be detrimental. For all he knows, he is a child that was
brought to this world simply used as a commodity like cattle.
Will society treat the cloned child with the same respect as
the original? It is an answer we cannot justify. But we are
soon to learn if human cloning will be allowed to continue.
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